Atlantic Salmon

The value of the Atlantic salmon both as a sport, commercial, and food fish cannot be exaggerated.

HOW TO IDENTIFY AN ATLANTIC SALMON

It has the body shape of a trout, and it is distinguished from trout’s of the genus Oncorhynchus by coloration, size, and location of occurrence, among other things. At sea it is a silvery fish with a sparse scattering of small black spots often shaped like Xs or Ys on the upper half of the body, and sometimes with a few spots on the cheek and gill cover.

In inland waters, especially at spawning time, the Atlantic salmon turns a much darker color of bronze or dark brown. This change may be accompanied by the appearance of red spots on the head and body, making this fish look remarkably like a brown trout, its closest relative. Often brown trout may have circles, or halos, around some of its spots and the spotting may be heavier than in the Atlantic salmon, extending onto the lower half of the sides and the fins including the adipose fin. The spots do not normally take the form of Xs or Ys.

WHERE TO CATCH ATLANTIC SALMON

The Atlantic salmon is native to the northern Atlantic from the Connecticut River to Quebec, Iceland and southern Greenland. It also occurs from the Arctic Circle to Portugal. Inland, there are several landlocked populations that must be considered strictly freshwater fish. Otherwise, the species is anadromous (migrates to the sea and back, and spawns in freshwater).

The following list includes additional details on where to catch Atlantic salmon:

Backflow                                          Outsides of Bends

Ripples, Currents,                            Swirls and Sprays

Rock and Boulder Pockets              Schools                                 

Dams and Falls                                 Drop-Offs

Merging Currents                             Small Pointed Waves

Undercuts                                         Current Edges

 

HOW TO CATCH ATLANTIC SALMON

The following are fishing methods used to catch Atlantic salmon:

Jigging                                    Drift Fishing              Fly Fishing

Trolling                                    Still Fishing